The Oklahoma State offense, once reputed to be perhaps the best in the land, has taken some lumps. Bobby Reid, a recruit of national stature, and the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, has been benched in favor of the inexperienced Zac Robinson.

Dantrell Savage, the team's starting running back, has been shelved by injury and is very questionable for the Texas Tech game.

David Washington, a three-year starter at center, and one of the best centers in the nation, broke his leg in the loss to Troy State and is gone for the season.

And there have been strong suggestions that leadership and good chemistry are in short supply on that side of the ball for the Cowboys.

But all of this does not mean that a Tech defense which been none too stern this season, can sleep easy this week. Safeties coach Carlos Mainord, for one, is very wary of Oklahoma State's capabilities.

"You know, they're very talented. They're a team that's talented enough that you don't know until you play 'em whether they're going to run the ball, throw the ball or whatever because they're capable of doing both," said Mainord.

And that dual-ability begins with OSU's two-headed quarterback arrangement. According to Mainord both Robinson and Reid are dangerous with the arm and the feet.